Affiliated Groups

Many local groups and organisations consider the Central Hall their ‘home’, some meet weekly and others monthly. However, they all share a desire to welcome new members, so please have a look at what is on offer; you may discover a new hobby or perhaps be inspired to revive an old one.

Grimsby Concert Society

Grimsby Concert Society is a registered charity whose main purpose is to promote, between October and April, a series of classical concerts of the very best quality, featuring professional musicians. Over the years audiences have enjoyed performances of the highest artistic standards by internationally renowned musicians and have also had the opportunity of hearing young award-winning performers at the outset of their careers.

This season marks the Society’s 60th anniversary and so the 2018/19 concert programme is rather special. Full details are available on our website (www.grimsbyconcertsociety.org), or you can contact the treasurer, Ian McDonald. His email address is and his telephone number is 01472 322143.

The society actively welcomes new members and it is not necessary to be a musical expert to enjoy the concerts. Membership costs £60 per person and for this you get admission to all the concerts (a 33% discount on the standard ticket price), reserved seating in the Roy Kemp Hall, half-price admission to concerts promoted by Scunthorpe and Louth music societies and priority access to any excursions to musical events which may be organised from time to time. The concerts are also open to non-members (standard £15, students and registered job seekers £5). Tickets are available for any of the six concerts in the season from the Central Hall Box Office.

Grimsby & Cleethorpes Ladies Choir

The late Vera Burton formed the Cleethorpes Ladies Choir in 1971 and in 1996; the Choir changed its name to Grimsby & Cleethorpes Ladies Choir.

Their present Musical Director, Rita Grove, took over in 2008 and they currently enjoy a membership of around 45 members.

The choir offers a large and varied repertoire and over the years has had many Festival successes.

Exchange visits have been made by to choirs in France, Germany (twice) and Denmark (twice). On its second visit to Denmark, the Choir sang at the Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen.

The Choir has belonged to the National Association of Choirs for many years and is an active member of the Lincolnshire group.

Exchange concerts with other choirs, especially Male Voice Choirs, take place on a regular basis and various charities have benefited from these performances. Smaller concerts in aid of local charities, singing at weddings and visits to entertain at residential homes all contribute to a busy calendar of events.

Grimsby Philharmonic Society

Grimsby Philharmonic Society, though not always under that name, has been part of the cultural life of the town since its formation in 1852.

Since 1882, there have been only six chorus masters and its current conductor is the internationally well-known choral trainer Susan Hollingworth. Under her inspirational leadership, the ‘Phil’ is now tackling exciting works by contemporary composers whilst not forgetting the favourite classics.

Over the years, the Phil has treated Grimsby audiences to some of the most famous soloists of the day, such as Peter Pears, Kathleen Ferrier and Isobel Baillie, Thomas Allen and Elisabeth Schumann. The unusual circumstances of the war years allowed local audiences to savour performances by such distinguished artists as Moisevitch, Solomon and Myra Hess.

One of the many highlights in the Phil’s history occurred during Hedley Atkin’s 20-year term as chorus master. A concert of an all-Britten programme not only featured Peter Pears but also included the composer amongst the audience. The performance later prompted him to remark that he believed it to be the first concert in the country devoted solely to his music.

The Phil meets every Monday at 7.30pm in the Roy Kemp Hall of the Central Hall. If their concert schedule whets your appetite and you would like to sing an interesting repertoire, then why not join them.

Orpheus Male Voice Choir

The Orpheus Male Voice Choir was formed in 1949 by a small group of enthusiastic singers and early successes in competitive festivals soon led to an increase in membership.

The choir continued to grow and in 1981 came under the musical direction of Richard Bradley. The choir has continued to grow under his direction with many competition successes, broadcasts, recordings and concerts given throughout England, Wales, Germany, Holland, France and Sweden.

The choir has performed in concerts with many well-known international and local solo artists as well as some of the country’s leading brass bands, military bands and jazz groups.

The Orpheus performs in many varied venues and willingly supports charitable occasions. They also regularly promote their own concerts at major venues and play host to a variety of well-known performers as well as encouraging young people who are at the beginning of their professional careers. They can also be heard regularly in churches and halls in support of a variety of community events.

The choir rehearses at the Central Hall each week and is always delighted to welcome new members with or without experience. The choir continues under the musical direction of Richard Bradley and the accompanist is Esther Peterson both of whom are well known and well respected local musicians.